A new study published August 14, 2024 in the journal Neurology shows that people 60 years of age and older with untreated high blood pressure may be at higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s disease affects nearly 7 million people in the US alone, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, and it is the most common type of dementia, accounting for 60% to 80% of cases. People with Alzheimer’s disease experience problems with memory and cognition that are severe enough to affect their daily lives.
Aging is the leading risk factor for this disease. The goal of the study was to look at how untreated high blood pressure affects the risk of this very common disease.
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Untreated high blood pressure linked to risk of Alzheimer’s disease
For this study, the research team examined data from more than 31,000 people. The average age of the study participants was 72. During an average follow-up period of four years, more than 1,400 of them developed Alzheimer’s disease.
After looking at many different factors – such as blood pressure readings, high blood pressure diagnoses, and whether people used medication to treat blood pressure – the team found that 9% did not treat their blood pressure. treating their condition, 51% were taking medication, 36% did not have high blood pressure and 4% were unsure about their condition.
After adjusting for any other factors that could influence the results, it was found that untreated high blood pressure was associated with a 36% increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease compared to people without high blood pressure. . Additionally, this group had a 42% increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease when compared to people who were treating high blood pressure with medication.
According to the study authors, this implies that treating high blood pressure as you age may play an important role in reducing your risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
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How can high blood pressure increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease?
Dr. John Lowe, a physician at Restore Care who was not involved in the study, explained how high blood pressure (hypertension) may be linked to Alzheimer’s disease. “Hypertension can cause damage to the brain’s blood vessels, especially small blood vessels, and this can lead to inadequate blood supply to important parts of the brain,” he said.
According to Lowe, when the brain doesn’t receive enough blood, this can lead to decreased function, which can manifest as cognitive impairment. “Another thing is that high blood pressure is a risk factor for vascular dementia, which can occur with Alzheimer’s disease and make it worse,” he said.
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How to improve high blood pressure?
Dr. John Higgins, a professor and cardiologist at UTHealth Houston, points out some steps beyond medication that can reduce your high blood pressure.
One is to reduce salt intake. Higgins recommends that you consider the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Prevent Hypertension) diet. However, he said a plant-based or Mediterranean diet can also be good. To make things easier, you’ll want to take the salt shaker off the table and check the nutrition labels so you can eliminate high-salt foods from your diet.
Potassium can also help lower blood pressure, so you can try using a salt substitute that contains potassium to reduce your sodium intake. However, you should consult your doctor first because potassium can cause problems for people with conditions such as kidney disease, heart disease, liver disease and diabetes. Higgins also recommends eating foods grilled or steamed instead of smoked, processed or fried because they will contain less salt.
Additionally, he recommends getting enough exercise. Aim for ≥150 minutes per week, he says. Furthermore, according to Higgins, breathing exercises, meditation and yoga are all great ways to reduce stress.
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How to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease?
“Reducing Alzheimer’s disease is multidimensional and requires addressing many lifestyle and health factors,” Lowe said. Here are the factors you need to consider:
- Cognitive stimulation: “Engaging in mental activities such as puzzles, reading and learning new skills can help create a cognitive reserve that can delay symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease,” he said. .
- Physical activity: Lowe notes that exercise can have a dual effect, helping to control blood pressure and overall brain health. “It promotes blood flow to the brain and in this way it can reduce amyloid plaque burden,” he explains.
- Heart health: Lowe says controlling your cardiovascular risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol also plays a role in protecting the brain and reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Healthy diet: “Eating a diet rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids and low in saturated fat may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease,” he said, noting that diet The Mediterranean diet, which is high in these nutrients, has been shown to protect against cognitive decline.
- Social interaction: “Maintaining strong social relationships with others and participating in activities together improves mental health, which may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease,” Lowe concluded. .
A new study has found that untreated high blood pressure is linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Experts say that over time, high blood pressure can cause damage, leading to reduced blood circulation in the brain. This puts people at risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
In addition to taking prescription medications, people can make lifestyle changes such as eating healthy, exercising, and managing stress to help reduce their risk of high blood pressure. To protect against Alzheimer’s disease, you need to be aware of and control the many factors that influence your risk of the disease. In addition to eating healthy, exercising and controlling cardiovascular risk factors, keeping your mind active and staying socially engaged can help prevent dementia.
Reference information: Healthline
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